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Chapter 399: Department Adjustment
The forces of Apokolips had retreated.
It happened quite suddenly, without any warning. It was as if the battles raging on various battlefields were at a fever pitch when, midway through the fighting, commanders everywhere suddenly received a phone call. Their faces would change drastically, and with a great wave of their hands, they would lead their massive armies to flee, tails tucked between their legs, clutching crutches, bedpans, and rice bowls.
Their departure was as sudden as a violent storm, leaving the World Army and the people of Earth in a daze, at first not daring to believe what this stunt from the aliens was all about.
Perhaps it was a trick?
All the Apokolips warships and monsters had completely withdrawn from the world, leaving not a single shadow in the azure sky. The dark clouds that had loomed for so long seemed to dissipate bit by bit, allowing the long-missed sunlight to shine down.
Only then did some truly start to believe that the invaders had truly gone.
When news footage was broadcast by major media stations across the globe, the public finally began to understand what had transpired.
The enemy's leader, Superman, was dead.
Right in Washington, the moment was faithfully recorded by the lens of a fearless war reporter. The Figure of Light, descending from the sky, had utterly thrashed the dark Superman from all angles in an incredibly short moment, beating the latter until he was battered and bruised, his body cracking all over, with no chance to fight back.
In the end, he used some unknown method, unleashing a formidable energy that enveloped his opponent. The dark Superman knelt on the ground and, under everyone's watch, weathered away and disintegrated, turning into a pile of dust.
Perhaps it was because their leader had fallen, or perhaps the sheer power of the Warrior of Light in the footage struck fear into the hearts of the invaders. In any case, they retreated, withdrawing from this planet.
Earth saw the light of day once more.
At the end of the footage, after confirming that the dark Superman had turned to ash, the figure in the light slowly ascended, seemingly nodding toward the camera. Then, a brief flash of light burst from his body, and in the next frame, he was gone without a trace.
The reporter delivering the news couldn't help but weep with joy by the end of her broadcast. Within a single day, the news had spread across the globe. The long-suffering people of Earth-2 seemed to have finally endured the long night and welcomed the dawn. The world was plunged into a night of revelry.
As the head of the Department for Responding to Giant Humanoid Alien Organisms, General Chaka was also urgently recalled to the World Army Headquarters. Commander Kahn convened a meeting that very night.
"Our research on countermeasures for that creature," Commander Kahn asked during the meeting, "has it yielded any results?"
Orin Vale pondered for a moment. When he was first assigned to this 'I counter myself' position, he had actually considered fabricating some results to report. With his professional expertise, it would have been child's play to fool them.
In any case, he was designing countermeasures against himself, so he would be the one to decide if his fabrications were useful or not.
However, the department had been established for too short a time, and the manpower and equipment were not yet in place. To claim results now would be unconvincing.
"Our experts have some initial ideas. Given time, we should have some results," Orin Vale said.
Kahn nodded. "This is the main topic of our meeting today. Do you remember what I said about our attitude toward the humanoid creature when your Countermeasure Department was established?"
"I remember," Orin Vale said. "An alien of unknown origin with formidable power. Despite providing us with significant help, we must operate under the assumption that his actions are driven by personal objectives."
"In other words, we are to treat him as a hypothetical enemy and research countermeasures."
"Correct. I've called you here today to say that the countermeasures need to be adjusted."
Commander Kahn paused, seemingly formulating his words.
"Um... if you don't mind me asking, General, are your parents still alive?"
Orin Vale's expression was a bit odd. The question was indeed strange.
But he had done his homework beforehand and understood General Chaka's persona. So he nodded. "My mother has passed away from illness, but my father is still alive."
"Very good. Then when you, as the head of the Countermeasure Department, are executing countermeasures, I need you to forget that father of yours."
Kahn tapped his knuckles on the image of the radiant giant projected on the wall.
"This is everyone's new dad."
Orin Vale: ?
*Wait, it can't be that serious, can it?*
*Good grief. I'm on an undercover operation, and I've somehow become my own son?*
"Of course, this doesn't mean countermeasures are no longer needed. The creature's weakness, response measures, and contingency plans in case it goes berserk—all of these still need to be prepared."
Commander Kahn leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together.
"What I'm talking about is an adjustment in 'attitude,' and in the message conveyed by the specific actions influenced by that attitude."
Orin Vale understood. "You mean, we need to do our best to convey our friendliness to the other party, is that it?"
As humans, it was of course impossible to completely entrust their safety to an alien of unknown origin. Even Superman, once trusted by the world, had become what he was today; the World Army would certainly not make the same mistake.
But even so, the other party's overwhelming power was the real deal.
Being cautious, vigilant, and designing contingency plans was one thing, but that was just a backup for when things got out of control, a last resort for an emergency.
Before that, their primary goal should be to avoid conflict. Even if the other party's attitude was merely to view humans as uninteresting ants, they still had to do their best to maintain that status quo.
"Apokolips has retreated, but they might come back. After all, it's not the first time," Commander Kahn said in a low voice, looking out the window at the bright sky. "Perhaps that giant intended to help us, or perhaps he simply has a grudge against Apokolips. The specific reason is irrelevant."
"What's important is that Earth and we humans can no longer afford to make such a new enemy."
Orin Vale nodded lightly. "I understand."
That being said, his job was starting to get weird again.
Initially, the responsibilities of this post seemed to be just "I counter myself." Now, not only did he have to secretly work against himself, but he also had to represent humanity and build a good relationship with himself...
Somehow, it all felt even stranger.
Orin Vale returned to his office and sat down. A moment later, the officer who had handled his personnel matters came in again.
"What did the Commander say?"
"Oh, the department's functions will be retained, but the future direction needs some adjustments," Orin Vale said casually as he swiped open the department report. "From now on, we will approach that giant with as friendly an attitude as possible."
"That makes sense," the officer nodded. "After all, having seen such immense power, the higher-ups definitely don't want to provoke him if they can help it..."
"But speaking of which, it's always weird to just call him 'Giant.' Isn't anyone going to give him a codename? Like they did for Superman before?"
Orin Vale thought to himself, *The giant's name is Ultraman... What? You ask how I know? Of course, the giant told me. All the veterans from the Ultraman Universe bullshit like this...*
*What? When and why would the giant tell me this?*
*Sigh... there's no need for you guys to understand the matters of Ultraman so clearly...*
"Right, speaking of which, you might want to see this."
The officer handed over a document. Orin Vale took it casually and glanced at it.
It was a personnel file. The photo was of a rather attractive blonde woman.
"I noticed you didn't seem satisfied with the candidates I recommended last time, so I made some more arrangements." The officer said with a smile, "Claire Rossi. She has excellent initiative and is highly efficient..."
He leaned in and whispered.
"...She's also a married woman."
Orin Vale: "..."
(end of chapter)
The forces of Apokolips had retreated.
It happened quite suddenly, without any warning. It was as if the battles raging on various battlefields were at a fever pitch when, midway through the fighting, commanders everywhere suddenly received a phone call. Their faces would change drastically, and with a great wave of their hands, they would lead their massive armies to flee, tails tucked between their legs, clutching crutches, bedpans, and rice bowls.
Their departure was as sudden as a violent storm, leaving the World Army and the people of Earth in a daze, at first not daring to believe what this stunt from the aliens was all about.
Perhaps it was a trick?
All the Apokolips warships and monsters had completely withdrawn from the world, leaving not a single shadow in the azure sky. The dark clouds that had loomed for so long seemed to dissipate bit by bit, allowing the long-missed sunlight to shine down.
Only then did some truly start to believe that the invaders had truly gone.
When news footage was broadcast by major media stations across the globe, the public finally began to understand what had transpired.
The enemy's leader, Superman, was dead.
Right in Washington, the moment was faithfully recorded by the lens of a fearless war reporter. The Figure of Light, descending from the sky, had utterly thrashed the dark Superman from all angles in an incredibly short moment, beating the latter until he was battered and bruised, his body cracking all over, with no chance to fight back.
In the end, he used some unknown method, unleashing a formidable energy that enveloped his opponent. The dark Superman knelt on the ground and, under everyone's watch, weathered away and disintegrated, turning into a pile of dust.
Perhaps it was because their leader had fallen, or perhaps the sheer power of the Warrior of Light in the footage struck fear into the hearts of the invaders. In any case, they retreated, withdrawing from this planet.
Earth saw the light of day once more.
At the end of the footage, after confirming that the dark Superman had turned to ash, the figure in the light slowly ascended, seemingly nodding toward the camera. Then, a brief flash of light burst from his body, and in the next frame, he was gone without a trace.
The reporter delivering the news couldn't help but weep with joy by the end of her broadcast. Within a single day, the news had spread across the globe. The long-suffering people of Earth-2 seemed to have finally endured the long night and welcomed the dawn. The world was plunged into a night of revelry.
As the head of the Department for Responding to Giant Humanoid Alien Organisms, General Chaka was also urgently recalled to the World Army Headquarters. Commander Kahn convened a meeting that very night.
"Our research on countermeasures for that creature," Commander Kahn asked during the meeting, "has it yielded any results?"
Orin Vale pondered for a moment. When he was first assigned to this 'I counter myself' position, he had actually considered fabricating some results to report. With his professional expertise, it would have been child's play to fool them.
In any case, he was designing countermeasures against himself, so he would be the one to decide if his fabrications were useful or not.
However, the department had been established for too short a time, and the manpower and equipment were not yet in place. To claim results now would be unconvincing.
"Our experts have some initial ideas. Given time, we should have some results," Orin Vale said.
Kahn nodded. "This is the main topic of our meeting today. Do you remember what I said about our attitude toward the humanoid creature when your Countermeasure Department was established?"
"I remember," Orin Vale said. "An alien of unknown origin with formidable power. Despite providing us with significant help, we must operate under the assumption that his actions are driven by personal objectives."
"In other words, we are to treat him as a hypothetical enemy and research countermeasures."
"Correct. I've called you here today to say that the countermeasures need to be adjusted."
Commander Kahn paused, seemingly formulating his words.
"Um... if you don't mind me asking, General, are your parents still alive?"
Orin Vale's expression was a bit odd. The question was indeed strange.
But he had done his homework beforehand and understood General Chaka's persona. So he nodded. "My mother has passed away from illness, but my father is still alive."
"Very good. Then when you, as the head of the Countermeasure Department, are executing countermeasures, I need you to forget that father of yours."
Kahn tapped his knuckles on the image of the radiant giant projected on the wall.
"This is everyone's new dad."
Orin Vale: ?
*Wait, it can't be that serious, can it?*
*Good grief. I'm on an undercover operation, and I've somehow become my own son?*
"Of course, this doesn't mean countermeasures are no longer needed. The creature's weakness, response measures, and contingency plans in case it goes berserk—all of these still need to be prepared."
Commander Kahn leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together.
"What I'm talking about is an adjustment in 'attitude,' and in the message conveyed by the specific actions influenced by that attitude."
Orin Vale understood. "You mean, we need to do our best to convey our friendliness to the other party, is that it?"
As humans, it was of course impossible to completely entrust their safety to an alien of unknown origin. Even Superman, once trusted by the world, had become what he was today; the World Army would certainly not make the same mistake.
But even so, the other party's overwhelming power was the real deal.
Being cautious, vigilant, and designing contingency plans was one thing, but that was just a backup for when things got out of control, a last resort for an emergency.
Before that, their primary goal should be to avoid conflict. Even if the other party's attitude was merely to view humans as uninteresting ants, they still had to do their best to maintain that status quo.
"Apokolips has retreated, but they might come back. After all, it's not the first time," Commander Kahn said in a low voice, looking out the window at the bright sky. "Perhaps that giant intended to help us, or perhaps he simply has a grudge against Apokolips. The specific reason is irrelevant."
"What's important is that Earth and we humans can no longer afford to make such a new enemy."
Orin Vale nodded lightly. "I understand."
That being said, his job was starting to get weird again.
Initially, the responsibilities of this post seemed to be just "I counter myself." Now, not only did he have to secretly work against himself, but he also had to represent humanity and build a good relationship with himself...
Somehow, it all felt even stranger.
Orin Vale returned to his office and sat down. A moment later, the officer who had handled his personnel matters came in again.
"What did the Commander say?"
"Oh, the department's functions will be retained, but the future direction needs some adjustments," Orin Vale said casually as he swiped open the department report. "From now on, we will approach that giant with as friendly an attitude as possible."
"That makes sense," the officer nodded. "After all, having seen such immense power, the higher-ups definitely don't want to provoke him if they can help it..."
"But speaking of which, it's always weird to just call him 'Giant.' Isn't anyone going to give him a codename? Like they did for Superman before?"
Orin Vale thought to himself, *The giant's name is Ultraman... What? You ask how I know? Of course, the giant told me. All the veterans from the Ultraman Universe bullshit like this...*
*What? When and why would the giant tell me this?*
*Sigh... there's no need for you guys to understand the matters of Ultraman so clearly...*
"Right, speaking of which, you might want to see this."
The officer handed over a document. Orin Vale took it casually and glanced at it.
It was a personnel file. The photo was of a rather attractive blonde woman.
"I noticed you didn't seem satisfied with the candidates I recommended last time, so I made some more arrangements." The officer said with a smile, "Claire Rossi. She has excellent initiative and is highly efficient..."
He leaned in and whispered.
"...She's also a married woman."
Orin Vale: "..."
(end of chapter)
